A total of 61 percent of Connecticut voters "disagree somewhat" or "disagree
strongly" with the traditional use of eminent domain to take private property for public
uses such as schools and roads, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University
poll finds.

That number jumps to 88 percent of voters who disagree strongly or somewhat with
newer applications of eminent domain to take private property for economic development
projects.

"A person's home is his castle, Connecticut voters say. The government has no
right to take it," said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D.

"Eight out of 10 voters followed closely the news about the Supreme Court
decision in the New London case and they clearly do not agree with the decision. Now
they want their state lawmakers to put some limits on the use of eminent domain."

Connecticut voters oppose 87 - 7 percent the Defense Department's proposal to
close the U.S. Navy submarine base in Groton. Opposition to the base closing ranges from
81 percent in Fairfield County to 96 percent in New London.

Keeping the base open is "very important," 59 percent of voters say, with 29 percent
who say "somewhat important."

Saving the Groton base should be a "high priority" for Connecticut's elected
officials, 85 percent of voters say, with 11 percent who say "low priority." In Fairfield
County, 79 percent of voters say this is a high priority, compared to 93 percent in New
London.

"Connecticut voters don't want to give up the Groton submarine base without their
Senators and Congressmen fighting to keep it open," Dr. Schwartz said. "This is more
than a local issue; support for the base is strong across the state."

Campaign Finance Reform

By an 87 - 8 percent margin, Connecticut voters think lobbyists and state
contractors have undue influence on state officials because of campaign contributions.
And by a 51 - 43 percent margin, voters support a ban on political contributions from
lobbyists and state contractors.

"Connecticut voters, by an overwhelming majority, say money plays too big a role in
the state's politics and they want to reform the system. But most voters don't want to dip into
their own pockets to pay for political campaigns," Dr. Schwartz said.

From July 19 - 25, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,067 Connecticut registered voters
with a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New
Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and the nation as a public service and for research.

For additional data-www.quinnipiac.edu and quicklinks

23. How important is it to you that the legislature pass campaign finance
reform this year - very important, somewhat important, not too important,
or not important at all?

31. As you may know, historically the government has always had the power
of eminent domain to take private property for important public projects
such as schools and roads.
Under eminent domain, the government buys a person's property, paying
what's determined to be fair market value. Do you agree or disagree with
this long-standing practice?
Do you agree/disagree strongly or somewhat?

32. As you may know, a recent Supreme Court decision in a New London
Connecticut case held that local government could also use its eminent
domain power for private development such as hotels and office buildings
to benefit the local economy.
How closely have you been following the news about this Court decision -
very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not closely at all?

33. As you may know, the Court ruled that government can use eminent domain
to buy a person's property and transfer it to private developers whose
commercial projects could benefit the local economy. Do you agree or disagree
with this ruling?
Do you agree/disagree strongly or somewhat?